Johanna Ouwerling - Open Arms – My Trips – 2004/2005

Part 3 of my "Open Arms" trips.
This one is to Zürich where Tina Turner would perform at the Benissimo Show (SF1) at the 27th of November 2004.
It all started with an email from Marko, a German fan of Tina.
He had written to SF1 to ask if it was possible to attend the Benissimo Show in which Tina would perform.
The answer he got was: bring 40 other fans and we will record your arrival at the station, at the studio and in the evening at the show.
So after some thinking, because we already made 2 trips and the bottom of our purse was in sight!, we decided to go.
After all it was the day after Tina’s Birthday and Kristian and Anne and Davide were also going. So it would be nice to see them again.
So we booked the flight and the hotel and on friday the 26th November (Tina’s birthday!) in the afternoon we went to the airport.
There we met 2 other fans. Geert Jan and his friend.

After a good flight we went to the Comfort Inn Hotel and after an hour or so Kristian and Anne arrived there too.
We were all glad to see each other again!
We drank something and went to bed, because the next day would be the day of the Show!!
The next morning we had breakfast together and we phoned Davide to meet him at the station.

At 12 O’clock we all were at the central station and there was also the group of other fans from all over Europe.
It was amazing! From Norway, Germany, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Spain they were there!

Lili Kaelin from SF1 explained to us that the cameraman was going to shoot some film of us.
We talked with each other about Tina of course and showed each other magazines and cd’s and other items that we have of her.
After that we all went to the tram to go to the TV station.

There they told us how it was going to be that night.
At a sign of a production leader of the station we were to go to the hall where the show was at that moment.
Then we had to wait without speaking till we could go inside and then the little film would be shown about us and after that Tina’s performance.
Then we had to leave again.

After the explanation we went to the restaurant of the TV station and we ate and drank something.
We would wait till Tina would arrive at the station for rehearsals.
Most of us got more and more excited.
There were also Annemie and Ben that had won the contest on the radio and they were going to meet Tina after the rehearsals.
Those lucky guys!!

After some waiting, there came the call: we had to go outside at the gate of the TV station, because there Tina would arrive in a dark blue Mercedes.

And after 15 minutes or so: there she was!!!
In the back of the car. Next to her Erwin, her friend.
We were all very excited and shouted and clapped and Tina waved at us and went on. It was short, too short!

But ok that was it for now.
We went to the tram to return to our hotel. And guess what happened?
In the tram Davide sat on the right site and he suddenly said: "There is Tina’s car!" And it was true.
We all looked out of the window and there she was again.
The car drove next to the tram for a few seconds and then it went to the right. It was great!
And everybody was so happy and laughed. Another great experience!
At our hotel we changed our clothes and arranged with some other fans to meet at the Cental Station at 6.30 pm to have dinner together, before we would go to the TV Station again.
Finally for the show!
We had some trouble finding a restaurant, but finally we did and we had a nice italian meal. But Zürich is really expensive!

Then we went to the TV station with the tram and the bus. On our way to the show!!

All the other fans were already there.

After waiting for about 45 minutes: it was time! We went into the hall were the show was.
We yelled and clapped. They showed the little film about us and after that: there was Tina! Great!

We all sang with her. I think it was her best performance of "Open Arms" till now!
She was very energetic. Probably because her birthday, the day before gave her new energy for the year to come!
After the song the man of the TV station asked her some questions and we all sang Happy Birthday to her.
She got beautiful white roses and off she was.
It was great seeing her again and being so close.
Next time I hope to meet her also. That would be great and Kristian and I promised each other we would!

Here is the performance:

With a big thanks to Morgan again! Besides Tina you are also the best!
After that we took a cab to the hotel. We talked about it a bit and then I went to bed. I was exhausted!
We said goodbye to Davide and Francesca and the next day to Kristian and Anne.
We went home and had a fantastic trip again!
Thanks Tina for all that you give us!
And thanks Marko and SF1 for making this possible!

Now the last trip, that goes to Copenhagen. A fantastic journey too. 😀